Kaaba keeper Al-Shaibi passes away

MAKKAH: Chief Keeper of the Kaaba Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Shaibi passed away Sunday morning. Funeral prayers were observed after the noon prayer. The sheikh's family will decide who will be the next senior chief of Kaaba.

The death of Sheikh Al-Shaibi will not delay the ritual of the changing of the Kiswa (silk and gold thread cover) of the Kaaba, scheduled for Sunday night after the Isha prayers. Sheikh Saleh Al-Shaibi is expected to take the role of the senior keeper for the rite, director of the public relations at the Grand Mosque Ahmad Al-Mansouri told Arab News.

Since the time of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the Shaibi family has held the custodianship of the Kaaba. The family has held the keys of the Kaaba since pre-Islamic times and has sole right to choose the next family member to hold this ceremonial position.

By : MUHAMAMD HUMAIDAN| ARAB NEWS